Knitting fabric and method of use

ABSTRACT

A novel arrangement of fabric and method for using the fabric to create decorative accessories such as scarves, boas, hand muffs and belts. The fabric having a generally continuous length and a width, the fabric further including a plurality of holes along an edge of the material to facilitate knitting the decorative accessories.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 61/803,723, filed on 20 Mar. 2013. The co-pending provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and is made a part hereof, including but not limited to those portions which specifically appear hereinafter.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a knitting fabric for creating accessories including, but not limited to, scarves, boas, hand muffs and belts, and a method of creating the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a novel arrangement of fabric for manufacturing decorative accessories including, but not limited to, scarves, boas, and belts. The present invention is further directed to a method of creating the decorative accessories.

In a preferred embodiment, the fabric comprises a fine, sheer fabric, such as an acrylic, polyester, nylon, silk, cotton, and wool material. The fabric preferably comprises a generally continuous length and a width, where the generally continuous length is significantly longer than the width. For example, in one embodiment, the length of the fabric measures 30 yards and the width measures 2 inches. However, it should be understood that the length and width can vary widely from this example. The fabric preferably also includes a plurality of holes along at least one side of the fabric for the entire length. In an embodiment, the holes are positioned every 1.5 inches along the length. Alternatively, the holes may be spaced by any length necessary for a design. In a preferred embodiment, at least one of an edge of the fabric and the holes are fused or sealed to prevent the fabric from unraveling at the edges or holes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a section of a knitting fabric, according to one embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 shows a knitted decorative accessory created using a method of knitting the knitting fabric of this invention.

FIG. 3 shows a method for creating a decorative accessory from the knitting fabric according to one embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 4 shows another knitted decorative accessory created using a method of knitting the knitting fabric of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to method and fabric for manufacturing decorative accessories including, but not limited to, scarves, boas, and belts. FIG. 1 shows a section of a knitting fabric 10 according to a preferred embodiment of this invention. Please note the illustrations of this application are exemplary, and the invention is not limited to the knitting fabric 10 shown.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the knitting fabric 10 comprises a sheer material 12 with a fine weave that is conducive to knitting, for example, but not limited to, acrylic, polyester, nylon, silk, cotton, and wool. However, the material is not limited to these materials and may comprise any type of material including sheer and non-sheer materials. In a preferred embodiment, the knitting fabric 10 comprises an organza fabric comprising 100% acrylic material. The knitting fabric 10 of this invention may comprise a variety of weights depending on the type of material and the size of knitting fabric 10. For example, the knitting fabric 10 of this invention may be manufactured to have net weights ranging from 1.5 ounces to 3.5 ounces (approximately 45 grams to 100 grams). However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the identified net weights and may comprise any weight depending on the selected material and size of the knitting fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the knitting fabric 10 includes a tension of 4″×4″−5 stitches by 5 rows. However it should be understood that the knitting fabric 10 is not limited to this tension and may comprise any tension depending on the desired characteristics of the knitting fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the knitting fabric 10 further comprises a lightweight fabric yarn. However, it should be understood that the above-qualities are exemplary of one embodiment of this invention and may vary depending on a desired use or result.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the knitting fabric 10 may include a design or print. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the material 12 comprises a leopard spot print. However, the knitting fabric is not limited to this design and may include any design or print including, but not limited to, an animal print, a floral print, a script print, a pattern, a character, a logo and a snake skin print. Alternatively, the material 12 may not include a design or print.

In preferred embodiment, the knitting fabric 10 includes a generally continuous length 16 that is much longer than a width 18. Please note the knitting fabric 10 shown in FIG. 1 is small segment of the length of material due to page constraints. In a preferred embodiment, the generally continuous length comprises 32 yards and the width is 2 inches. However, it should be understood that the generally continuous length 16 may comprise any length from 1 foot to 100 yards or more. Similarly, the width may comprise any measurement from ½ inch to 1 foot or more. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the knitting fabric 10 comprises a rectangular shape with straight edges. In an alternative embodiment, one or more of the sides may include an irregular edge, such as, but not limited to, a scallop cut, a zig-zag cut, and/or a fringe cut.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the knitting fabric 10 of this invention preferably includes a plurality of holes 14 in a row and along the length of the fabric 10 in proximity to one edge 22 of the length and away from another edge 24 of the length. In this embodiment, each hole 14 comprises circular-shaped hole having a ¼ inch diameter and a spacing 20 of 1.5 inches between adjacent holes 14. This arrangement works well with knitting needles with a U.S. size of 8 to 10 (5-6 mm). However, the holes are not limited to these dimensions any may comprise any shape, size, orientation, and spacing 20 for a desired use. Further, in an alternative embodiment of this invention, the holes 14 may be positioned in a row along a center of the fabric 10. In another alternative embodiment, the holes 14 may not comprise a single row and instead may comprise multiple rows of holes or may be arranged in another pattern.

In an embodiment of this invention, in order to prevent the knitting fabric 10 from unraveling at the holes 14 and/or along the edges 22, 24, 26 of the fabric 10, the holes 14 and the edges 16 are fused or sealed. The fused or sealed edges may be formed with a heat seal or an adhesive. In a preferred embodiment, the fused or sealed edge is formed simultaneously with the slitting and/or cutting of the fabric 12 into the desired length and width and the cutting of the holes.

This invention further includes a method of using the knitting fabric 10 to create a decorative accessory, such as, but not limited to, a stylish scarf 100, as shown in FIG. 2, or a hand muff, as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of a method 102 for creating the scarf 100 shown in FIG. 2. This method 102 will create a finished scarf 100 which is 5 inches wide and 50 inches long. However, the method 102 may be varied to create a scarf with other dimensions. In a preferred embodiment, this method begins 110 by getting two skeins 104 of Sullivans USA Yorganza™ material having a weight of 100 g, length of 32 yards and manufactured of 100% polyester and a pair of knitting needles 106, 107. However, the skeins 104 may comprise a skein with different characteristics depending on the desired look of the finished product. Preferably, the knitting needles comprise size 10 US needles, however, a gauge of the needle is not critical and any type of knitting needle may be used.

To start, cast on a plurality of stitches 120 by inserting the needle 106 tip into a first hole on a top of the skeins 104 and weaving the knitting needle 106 tip from back to front through the chosen plurality of holes. To create the scarf 100 with the 5 inch width described above, cast on 7 holes (7 stitches with the needle). Please note, the method 102 of this invention is not limited to the cast on of 7 stitches and may comprise any number of stitches depending on the desired width, length, and shape of the finished accessory including, but not limited to 3 stitches to 14 stitches or more and including 1/2 stitch increments such as a 4 ½ stitch cast on. Using a 3 stitch count will yield a longer, narrower scarf while a 10 stitch count will yield a shorter, wider scarf. In another embodiment, the method of this invention may be varied by only stitching through every other hole. The width and shape of the finished scarf 100 may also be varied by knitting with a loose or tight stitch.

In steps 130 and 140, insert a right hand needle 107 into a last hole on the left hand needle 106 as if to knit a stitch. Then, place a next hole in the fabric 104 on the right hand needle 107 tip and pull the fabric 104 through the hole on the left hand needle 106 completing the knit stitch. Knit all stitches across the row in the same manner and turn the fabric 104. Continue knitting a second row and all subsequent rows in the same manner described above. Preferably, after completing a row make sure to turn in the same direction. When nearing the end of a length of the skein 104 and requiring additional length, overlap a plurality of holes on the end of the skein 104 with a plurality of holes on a new skein and continuing knitting as normal. In a preferred embodiment, overlap at least the same number of holes that were cast on, 7 stitches in this example. Continue knitting as described above until the scarf 100 reaches a desired length or the remaining number of holes in the skein equals the number of holes that were cast on. Cast off all stitches by pulling the remaining fabric 104 through the last stitch. To finish, use a needle and thread to sew an end of the scarf.

In another embodiment, the fabric 10 of this invention may be used to create a winter hand muff 150, as shown in FIG. 4. To create a muff which measures 9 inches wide by 25 inches long, get two skeins of Sullivans USA Yorganza™ material having a weight of 100 g, length of 32 yards as well as size 10 US knitting needles, once again the gauge is not critical. Cast on a plurality of holes by inserting a needle tip into a first hole on the top of the skeins and weaving the tip from back to front through the chosen plurality of holes. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, 14 holes were cast on. Next, insert the right hand needle into the last hole placed on the left hand needle as if to knit a stitch. Then, place a next hole in fabric on the right hand needle tip and pull the fabric through the hole on the left hand needle completing the knit stitch. Repeat this step for all stitches across the row and turn the fabric. Continue knitting a second row and all subsequent rows in the same manner described above. Preferably, after completing a row make sure to turn in the same direction. Preferably, when the remaining fabric has a plurality of holes equal to the number of holes which were cast on, cast off all stitches by pulling the remaining fabric through the last stitch. To finish the muff, sew the cast off row to a bottom side of the first row. To do this, lay the knitted fabric flat and fold a bottom ruffle up to show the bottom of the cast on row. Using a sewing needle and thread, attach the bottom and top of piece to give the muff a round shape. After sewing the top and bottom together unfold ruffle and the muff is complete.

Thus, the invention provides novel knitting fabric and method for creating decorative accessories from the knitting fabric.

It will be appreciated that details of the foregoing embodiments, given for purposes of illustration, are not to be construed as limiting the scope of this invention. Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention, which is defined in the following claims and all equivalents thereto. Further, it is recognized that many embodiments may be conceived that do not achieve all of the advantages of some embodiments, particularly of the preferred embodiments, yet the absence of a particular advantage shall not be construed to necessarily mean that such an embodiment is outside the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fabric for creating decorative accessories comprising: the fabric including a generally continuous length and a width; a plurality of holes arranged in an aligned row along the length of the fabric, wherein a spacing between adjacent holes ranges from a ½ inch to a foot; and wherein a knitting needle may be inserted through at least two of the plurality of holes to knit the decorative accessory.
 2. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the length ranges from 1 yard to 100 yards and the width ranges from ½ inch to 1 foot
 3. The fabric of claim 2, wherein the length equals 32 yards, the width equals 2 inches, and the spacing equals 1.5 inches.
 4. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the fabric comprises at least one of acrylic, polyester, nylon, silk, cotton, and wool.
 5. The fabric of claim 1, wherein a net weight of the fabric ranges from 45 grams to 100 grams.
 6. The fabric of claim 1, wherein an edge of the fabric and a circumference of the hole are sealed or fused to prevent unraveling of the fabric.
 7. The fabric of claim 1 further comprising: a decorative print on the fabric.
 8. The fabric of claim 1, wherein an edge of the fabric includes a decorative cut comprising one of a scallop cut, a zig-zag cut, and a fringe cut.
 9. A method of knitting the fabric of claim 1 to create a decorative accessory comprising: casting on a plurality of holes by inserting a knitting needle from a front of the fabric to a back of the fabric through the plurality of holes; knitting a plurality of rows; binding off the fabric near an end of the fabric; and weaving in an end of the fabric.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of casting on a plurality of holes ranges from three holes to five holes.
 11. A method of knitting a decorative accessory comprising: obtaining a fabric including a plurality of holes arranged in a row along a length of the fabric; using a knitting needle to cast on a plurality of holes by inserting the knitting needle from front to back through the holes; using the knitting needle to knit a plurality of rows from the cast on row; binding off near an end of the fabric; and weaving in an end of the fabric.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the length of the fabric ranges from 1 yard to 100 yards and a width of the fabric ranges from ½ inch to 1 foot
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein a spacing between each adjacent hole of the plurality of holes ranges from a ½ inch to a foot.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the length of the fabric equals 32 yards, a width of the fabric equals 2 inches, and the spacing between adjacent holes equals 1.5 inches.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the fabric comprises at least one of acrylic, polyester, nylon, silk, cotton, and wool.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein a net weight of the fabric ranges from 45 grams to 100 grams.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein an edge of the fabric and a circumference of the holes are sealed or fused to prevent unraveling of the fabric.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the fabric includes a decorative print.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein an edge of the fabric includes a decorative cut comprising one of a scallop cut, a zig-zag cut, and a fringe cut. 